RE: beginner plane purchase logic
Unless you really know what you are doing, I would avoid E-bay for any type of RC purchase and stick with a Local Hobby Shop or something like Tower Hobbies or Horizon, or another major retailer. They will give you the best support where someone on Ebay will most likely take your money and that will be the last you will ever hear from that person again.
No, I don't trust Ebay and never will.
CGr